I'm a young writer and I have a question.?

Question

I have recently started writing a story. It's very short- but I write for at least ten minutes every(usually to only crank out a paragraph!) and I have a question. When two people are talking, do you press "tab" on every line or only put a few spaces? I look at books for references and it looks like they only put a few spaces. I've not been pressing 'tab' or even putting spaces when my characters are talking..I just sort of leave it. Like I said, I'm young and have just started writing- so it'll take me a while to learn the rope.

Thanks,
Isa

Answer 1

That should not be difficult. If u are writing the dialogues first of all make sure you put "quotation marks" at the proper places. If u are writing in a paragraph, write like a normal paragrah, care about quotation marks though.
Sandra said".................". Ron replies"..............."

If u are writing as in a play - usually dialogues are written like this
A:.................
B:...................
U will of couse use the enter key. The "tab" key is hardly ever used.

TW K

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you are asking. Your manuscript should be typed in 12 pt, Times New Roman or Courier. It should be double spaced. Each time a character speaks a line, you should indent, as in a paragraph. Dialogue tags and action tags are included in the paragraph, something like this:

"Do you understand how to write dialogue?" said Susan.

Brett sighed and rubbed his head. "Not really," he said.

"Go online and do some research, Brett. There's lots of stuff out there."

"My computer's down. But, hey, I'll just grab a fiction book or story and study how it's done. Got plenty of stuff to read around the house."

"Cool," said Susan, putting up her hand to exchange a high five with Brett.

Keep on writing. Study the craft and learn all you can about it. By the way, editors correct minor errors, but they expect the writer to know and use correct spelling and grammar. A manuscript that's full of spelling mistakes, typos, and grammar errors may hit the "slush pile" without even being read. When you submit a manuscript - and you will some day, for you seem dedicated to writing - make sure it's as perfect as you can get it. Never submit anything less than your very best.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I write and read a lot as well. It may be difficult for the reader to understand your story without tabs. Usually if a character is making a big speech you can get away with some spaces but when different characters speak, there needs to be a way to show that there are two or more different people involved. Usually you needn't worry about it until you've completed your story and do what is called a "re-write" (where you go in and tighten up the plot and fix typos, etc.) Hope it helps and keep writing.

Answer 4

Don't worry about it - it's just a minor thing that writers don't worry about (it's the job of the printers and book makers).

Writers don't necessarily even need to be brilliant spellers or experts at grammar! You've got editors to do that job :)

Your job is just to come up with the story and write it extremely well. If you don't like tabs, don't use them - hit enter twice to separate paragraphs or do the few spaces... whatever doesn't get in the way, and whatever makes you happiest that keeps your focus on the writing and not the document

Answer 5

I'm an avid script writer. I write plays and film scripts mostly, but I do like writing short stories and poetry. When I do write a short story I usually just put a few spaces on every new line when people are talking. But that's just me.
God Bless!!

Answer 6

I'm a young writer too! Even when I was as a kid I didn't understand how dialogue was written because it differs in different books and novels. I wouldn't put too many spaces just because it draws the reader from the story for even a second.

Answer 7

I try to put my quotes in the paragraph..so that I know where the "speaking parts" start and end...when writing..sometimes my handwriting is "atrocious" LOL!
But, I usually type..and I just like to have the quotes in there..but, I do occasionally forget!

I would suggest doing it..but, it is entirely up to you!Besides...you can always go back and do this later!
Have fun writing!

Answer 8

OK an example will show you, rather than tell you...

Louise stood in front of her locker in the rapidly emptying main hall of TopSail High School.
She was fuming, "He _promised_ me," she muttered to her self. "I will have to walk home now, because I missed the bus."
Just as she was about to chuck the whole thing -waiting for Tod- she heard a familiar chuckle.

"Hi babe, I'd never make you walk home, Mr. Davis kept the whole class late because some dufus asked an interesting question about Calculus." Tod swung her laptap off her shoulder, "Grab your books and let's go study for our World History Test."

Does that help?

Answer 9

Whenever you change the speaker you change paragraphs. You push tab, not just a few spaces.

Answer 10

Im not an expert, but the way I see it is that your writing is a personal expression, a piece of art. Throw complacency out the window....do you want to hit spacespacespacespace or do you wanna hit tab. Or DO you WANT tO Do




it........
another....
way.
Get my point?